Dispenser assembly for wax substances

ABSTRACT

A dispenser assembly is provided for packaging substances such as ski wax and for enabling dispensing of such substances in discrete quantities. The dispenser comprises an inner and outer sleeve with the substance to be dispensed being contained within the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve is slidable relative to the outer sleeve and is formed with a first plurality of severable joints extending circumferentially thereabout and axially spaced on the inner sleeve to form therebetween annular sleeve sections. A second plurality of severable joints extend axially across said annular sleeve sections between each pair of said first plurality of severable joints. Each annular section is equipped with a tearoff tab and as the inner sleeve is axially removed from the outer sleeve discrete quantities of the wax may be exposed for use by gripping a tab and removing an annular section by severence along said severable joints. The outer sleeve is formed with inwardly projecting flanges to prevent reinsertion of the inner sleeve. Additionally, the inner wall of the outer sleeve has defined thereon ribs which engage the tabs to cooperatively support the inner sleeve and resist reentry thereof into the outer sleeve.

United States Patent [191 Benn et al.

in] saaaaza Nov. 5, 1974 DISPENSER ASSEMBLY FOR WAX SUBSTANCES [75] lnventors: Edgar Benn, Altstatten; Benno Buchel, Widnau; Manfred Ender, Wolfhalden, all of Switzerland [73] Assignee: Briag AG, Altstatten, Germany [22] Filed: July 26, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 383,301

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary E.raminerStanley H. Tollberg ASS/Slur ExaminerNorman L.v Stack, Jr. Almrney. Agent, or Firm-Toren, McGeady and Stanger [57] ABSTRACT A dispenser assembly is provided for packaging substances such as ski wax and for enabling dispensing of such substances in discrete quantities. The dispenser comprises an inner and outer sleeve with the substance to be dispensed being contained within the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve is slidable relative to the outer sleeve and is formed with a first plurality of severable joints extending circumferentially thereabout and axially spaced on the inner sleeve to form therebetween annular sleeve sections. A second plurality of severable joints extend axially across said annular sleeve sections between each pair of said first plurality of severable joints. Each annular section is equipped with a tearoff tab and as the inner sleeve is axially removed from the outer sleeve discrete quantities of the wax may be exposed for use by gripping a tab and removing an annular section by severence along said severable joints. The outer sleeve is formed with inwardly projecting flanges to prevent reinsertion of the inner sleeve. Additionally, the inner wall of the outer sleeve has defined thereon ribs which engage the tabs to cooperatively support the inner sleeve and resist reentry thereof into the outer sleeve.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENYED REV 5 IBM 1 DISPENSER ASSEMBLY FOR WAX SUBSTANCES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to dispensers for packaging substances such as ski wax or the like. More specifically, the invention relates to a dispenser package whereby a substance may be exposed for use in discrete stages by removing portions of the package as the dispensed substance becomes depleted.

2. Description of the Prior Art Substances such as ski waxes or the like have been heretofore packaged in generally cylindrical containers made of cardboard or metal. The substance to be dispensed is poured into the container in the liquid state and a bottom member is provided whereby, after solidification, the substance can be pressed upwardly with the thumb in order to effect dispensing thereof. In the case of a stick of ski wax, the wax is caused to project over the edge ofthe cylindrical sleeve in which it is packaged thereby permitting the wax to be applied upon skis. However, with present day chemical compositions of ski waxes, this packaging system is no longer practical either because the adhesion of the wax against the container sleeve is too great to permit suitable dispensing or because of difficulties arising in the filling of the sleeves. In some cases, sleeves of lead or aluminum foil have been used which required that portions of the sleeve material be torn off by hand in order to expose a desired quantity of wax. However, this approach does not present a satisfactory solution primarily because sharp edges may be formed which could cause injury and because the removal of the foil is difficult and cumbersome. Furthermore, when the foil or other material of the package is torn off, directions foruse imprinted thereon will be destroyed.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate many of these disadvantages. The present invention provides a package which not only protects and stores the contents thereof but which also renders the contents readily accessible and enables dispensing thereof in discrete small portions. Furthermore, the invention is so structured that instructions printed upon the package will remain intact and will not become defaced or destroyed as the contents are removed or depleted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the present invention may be defined as a dispenser assembly particularly suitable for packaging wax substances and the like which is adaptable for dispensing said substances in discrete quantities. The assembly comprises an inner sleeve within which there is contained the substance to be dispensed. An outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve is configured to permit the inner sleeve to be axially removed therefrom in discrete stages. The inner sleeve is formed with a first plurality of severable joints extending circumferentially about the sleeve and spaced axially thereon to define therebetween annular sleeve sections. A second plurality of severable joints is provided which extend axially between a pair of said first plurality of several joints across the annular sections of the inner sleeve. Tear tabs are affixed to each of the annular sections to enable severence thereof individually from the inner sleeve along the first plurality of severable joints in order to expose a discrete quantity of the substance contained therein. The outer sleeve is formed with de tent means in the form of inwardly extending flanges which engage the inner sleeve and prevent reinsertion thereof into the outer sleeve while enabling the inner sleeve to be pushed outwardly when a portion of the wax contents is to be exposed.

Several significant advantages are achieved by utilization of the present invention. The individual annular sections of the inner sleeve may be readily removed in sections by means of the tear tabs without the fingers of the user being soiled by the contents of the package. Because of the detent means provided on the outer sleeve, it is possible to advance the inner sleeve outwardly therefrom in stages while securing the inner sleeve against reinsertion into the outer sleeve. By a further aspect of the invention, the outer sleeve is provided upon the inner surface thereof with guide means which engage the tear tabs of the inner sleeve in order to prevent rotation of the inner sleeve within the outer sleeve.

Another expedient aspect of the invention involves the provision of a removable cover at the top of the inner sleeve thereby enabling filling of the inner sleeve from the bottom thereof in an economical manner. The cover for the inner sleeve is preferably connected by a hinge tab with a second cover which is arranged to close the outer sleeve. When the device is to be placed in use, the cover for the inner sleeve may be detached from the cover for the outer sleeve and discarded.

The invention is so structured that'the entire assembly may be economically and readily formed of plastic material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side view partially broken away and partially in section showing a filled inner sleeve with a cover member in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the overall assembly of the dispenser;

FIG. 3 is a partial view, broken away and in section, showing the upper portion of the outer sleeve of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a top view of the outer sleeve of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED- EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the dispenser assembly of the present invention is shown as comprising an inner sleeve 1 having a bottom section 2, with the sleeve being structuredas a unitary integral member formed of plastic material. The substance to be dispensed, which may be ski wax 11 or the like, is contained within the sleeve 1. A cover member 3 is removably inserted into the upper end of the sleeve 1 to form a closure thereat. An outercover member 6 is attached to the cover member 3 by a hinge tab 4 with the outer cover 6 being .sized to provide a closure for an outer sleeve 5 which surrounds the inner sleeve 1. The members 3, 4 and 6 are also preferably formed of plastic material and configured as a unitary integral element.

As seen in FIG. 1, the inner sleeve 1 has distributed along its length a plurality of severable joints 7 which extend circumferentially about the sleeve 1 and which define therebetween annular sections 8 of the inner sleeve. A second plurality of severable joints 9 are also formed on the inner sleeve to extend axially therealong between each pair of the severable joints 7 across the annular section8. The severable joints 7 and 9 are each essentially comprised of weakened or attenuated sections which facilitate tearing therealong of the annular sections 8 for removal thereof from about the contents 11 of the package.

A plurality of tear tabs 10 are provided with one each being affixed to the annular sections 8. By pulling a tab 10, an annular section 8 may be removed by first breaking the severable joint 9 and subsequently tearing along the severable joint 7 so that a section 8 may be individually detached from the package without the fingers of the user coming into contact with the contents 11. The severable joint 9 and the respective tear tabs of adjacent annular section 8 are formed in a staggered configuration, with each being provided on a side of the inner sleeve 1 opposite the side of the adjacent tab 10 and joints 9. Thus, it will be seen that each tab 10 and each severable joint 9 is displaced by 180 degrees relative to each adjacent joint 9 or tab 10, respectively.

The bottom 2 of the inner sleeve 1 is formed to define a wall 13 arranged concentrically to the outer circumference of the sleeve 1 to define a filling hole 12. The wall 13 is connected by ribs 14 to the outer wall of the inner sleeve 1. With the cover 3 in place and the opening 12 pointing in an upward direction, the inner sleeve 1 may be filled with ski wax or similar contents 11. The 1 sleeve may have imprinted thereon directions for use (not shown) and serves also as a gripping member during application or use ofthe wax contents 11. The outer sleeve 5 is formed with diametrically opposed guides 15 located on the inner surface thereof and positioned to engage the tear tabs 10. The guides 15 are provided with transverse ribs 16 which extend circumferentially across portions of the inner surface of sleeve 5 and which are located to support the ends of the tear tabs 10. Thus, as the inner sleeve 1 is moved axially out of the sleeve 5, the tabs will slide within the guides and thereby operate to resist relative rotation between the sleeves l and 5. Furthermore, each time that the sleeve 1 is moved a notch out of the sleeve 5, the tabs 10 will have their bottom ends resting against the ribs 16 thereby resisting reentry of the sleeve 1 into the sleeve 5.

The upper edge of the outer sleeve 5 is formed with a plurality of axial cutouts defining therebetween a pair of flanges 17. A second pair of flanges 17' are also formed in a mannerto extend radially inwardly of the sleeve 5. The flanges 17' act as projections which operate to engage the inner sleeve 1 at the points of the severable joints 7. As will be seen from FIG. 1, each of the joints 7 is formed as a notch or indentation. Therefore, as the inner sleeve 1 is pushed upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 2, out of the outer sleeve 5, the flanges 17' will extend into the notched configuration of the severable joints 7 and thereby prevent the sleeve 1 from being drawn downwardly to become reinserted into the sleeve 5. The tabs 17' are formed of resilient material and, therefore, operate to permit the sleeve 1 to be pushed upwardly out of the sleeve 5.

Therefore, it will be seen that flanges 17' together with the cooperation between the tear tabs 10 and the ribs 16 operate to retain the inner sleeve 1 in an advanced position out of the sleeve 5 which will secure the contents 1] to enable application thereof to skis or other appropriate dispensing.

When the dispenser is first to be placed in use, the user need only remove the cover 6 to first open the package. By pulling on the cover 6 and thus the hinge tab 4, the inner cover 3 can easily be removed. The cover 3 may be separated from the cover 6 by tearing along tab 4. Since the inner cover 3 will no longer be required, it may be discarded. in order to dispense a quantity of the contents 11, the bottom 2 of the inner sleeve 1 is pressed upwardly a sufficient distance to permit the inner sleeve 1 to extend out oftheouter sleeve 5 by a distance equivalent to the width of the first upper annular section 8. Engagement of the first severable joint 7 by the flanges 17', together with engagement between the ribs 16 and the tabs 10, will operate to maintain the inner sleeve 1 in this position. The first tear tab 10 may then be gripped and the uppermost annular section 8 may be removed by severing the first severable joint 9 and tearing along the first severable joint 7. The assembly is thus in condition for use and a quantity of the contents ll equivalent in axial length to the width of the first annular section 8 may then be used and depleted. Upon continued use, the inner sleeve 1 is advanced in stages out of the outer sleeve 5 are previously described, with the process being continued until the entire quantity of the contents ll becomes exhausted.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser assembly particularly suitable for packaging wax substances and for dispensing such substances in discrete quantities, said assembly comprising, in combination, an inner generally cylindrical sleeve having said substance contained therein, said inner sleeve including at one end thereof a bottom wall and means extending through said bottom wall to define a filling aperture directed interiorly of said inner sleeve through which said wax substance in a liquid state may be introduced into said inner sleeve, a removable cover member tightly closing the end of said inner sleeve opposite said bottom wall, an outer generally cylindrical sleeve surrounding said inner sleeve with said inner sleeve being axially removable therefrom, said inner sleeve being formed with a first plurality of severable joints extending circumferentially about said inner sleeve and spaced axially therealong to define therebetween annular sleeve sections, said second plurality of severable joints extending axially between a pair of said first plurality of severable joints across said inner sleeve sections, tab means affixed to each of said annular sections at a location immediately adjacent to each of said second plurality of severable joints to enable severance of said annular sections individually from said inner sleeve, and detent means interposed between said inner and outer sleeves to prevent reinsertion of said inner sleeve within said outer sleeve.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 including a second cover member adapted to removably engage said outer sleeve, and a severable hinge tab integrally joining said inner sleeve cover member and said outer sleeve cover member with said hinge tab being formed to extend between circumferential portions of said inner and outer sleeve cover members, said cover members being configured to be simultaneously individually placed to cover said inner sleeve and said outer sleeve, respectively.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said detent means comprise resilient flange means affixed to said outer sleeve and extending radially inwardly thereof, with said first plurality of severable joints being formed to define radially inwardly directed indentations upon said inner sleeve, said flange means being sized to engage said inner sleeveat said indentations.

outer sleeve is formed to define on the inner side thereof guide means extending axially therealong and located to slidably engage said tab means to prevent relative rotation between said inner sleeve and said outer sleeve, with said guide means being arranged to enable said tab means to slide therealong when said inner sleeve is removed from said outer sleeve with rib means being formed on said outer sleeve to extend transversely across said guide means at spaced locations therealong, said rib means being positioned to engage a rearward edge of said tab means taken relative to said axial direction of movement of said inner sleeve relative to said ouer sleeve, whereby engagement of said tab means against said rib means will operate to resist reinsertion of said inner sleeve into said outer sleeve.

6. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein said tab means are arranged in an axially staggered relationship with each tab located on an opposite side of said inner sleeve relative to each axially adjacent tab.

7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein said second plurality of severable joints are arranged in an axially staggered relationship with each joint located on an opposite side of said inner sleeve relative to each axially adjacent joint. 

1. A dispenser assembly particularly suitable for packaging wax substances and for dispensing such substances in discrete quantities, said assembly comprising, in combination, an inner generally cylindrical sleeve having said substance contained therein, said inner sleeve including at one end thereof a bottom wall and means extending through said bottom wall to define a filling aperture directed interiorly of said inner sleeve through which said wax substance in a liquid state may be introduced into said inner sleeve, a removable cover member tightly closing the end of said inner sleeve opposite said bottom wall, an outer generally cylindrical sleeve surrounding said inner sleeve with said inner sleeve being axially removable therefrom, said inner sleeve being formed with a first plurality of severable joints extending circumferentially about said inner sleeve and spaced axially therealong to define therebetween annular sleeve sections, said second plurality of severable joints extending axially between a pair of said first plurality of severable joints across said inner sleeve sections, tab means affixed to each of said annular sections at a location immediately adjacent to each of said second plurality of severable joints to enable severance of said annular sections individually from said inner sleeve, and detent means interposed between said inner and outer sleeves to prevent reinsertion of said inner sleeve within said outer sleeve.
 2. An assembly according to claim 1 including a second cover member adapted to removably engage said outer sleeve, and a severable hinge tab integrally joining said inner sleeve cover member and said outer sleeve cover member with said hinge tab being formed to extend between circumferential portions of said inner and outer sleeve cover members, said cover members being configurEd to be simultaneously individually placed to cover said inner sleeve and said outer sleeve, respectively.
 3. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said detent means comprise resilient flange means affixed to said outer sleeve and extending radially inwardly thereof, with said first plurality of severable joints being formed to define radially inwardly directed indentations upon said inner sleeve, said flange means being sized to engage said inner sleeve at said indentations.
 4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said inner sleeve is movable relative to said outer sleeve in one axial direction, and wherein said tab means are fixed to said annular sections at a forward edge thereof taken relative to said one direction.
 5. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein said outer sleeve is formed to define on the inner side thereof guide means extending axially therealong and located to slidably engage said tab means to prevent relative rotation between said inner sleeve and said outer sleeve, with said guide means being arranged to enable said tab means to slide therealong when said inner sleeve is removed from said outer sleeve with rib means being formed on said outer sleeve to extend transversely across said guide means at spaced locations therealong, said rib means being positioned to engage a rearward edge of said tab means taken relative to said axial direction of movement of said inner sleeve relative to said ouer sleeve, whereby engagement of said tab means against said rib means will operate to resist reinsertion of said inner sleeve into said outer sleeve.
 6. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein said tab means are arranged in an axially staggered relationship with each tab located on an opposite side of said inner sleeve relative to each axially adjacent tab.
 7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein said second plurality of severable joints are arranged in an axially staggered relationship with each joint located on an opposite side of said inner sleeve relative to each axially adjacent joint. 